Since being published in 1983, “Borderstrike!”, Willem Steenkamp’s graphic account of early operations in Angola and South West Africa/Namibia between 1975 and 1980, has become a standard reference source for a generation of military writers. Now it has been thoroughly revised and expanded, and the result is virtually a new book which retains most of the old material but has a great deal that is new.



The original version of Borderstrike! concentrated on describing the operations. Now, thanks to three decades of hindsight and the incorporation of information which was not available at the time – either because it was classified or had yet to emerge – the picture Steenkamp paints has much greater depth. He is able to provide new insights into why things happened as they did and regale the reader with facts and stories which hitherto have received scant attention.



By way of a series of postscripts to the various sections he also throws in some related stories which range from hilarious to tragic, drawn from a variety of sources, not least his own recollections.

Among the provocative comments, observations and revelations which emerge from the revised version of Borderstrike are the following:



* Why the “border war” came within an inch of ending in 1978 instead of 1989 … but didn’t.

* How the Cold War drastically affected every single military war and insurrection in Southern and Central Africa for almost three decades – and in fact was largely responsible for causing them - to a far greater extent than any of the “sharp end” participants realised at the time.

* Why none of the three home-grown movements involved in the Angolan civil war had any proven legitimacy in terms of popular support.

* Did a nation called “Angola” actually exist in 1975?

* What was the real cock-up – not the flawed drop about the Army and Air Force have been arguing for 30 years but the actual defect - which nearly turned the 1978 Cassinga parachute attack into a disaster?

* Why did Operation Savannah ended up becoming virtually a private war between the South Africans and Cubans?

* What was Cassinga: a SWAPO base [as the SADF claimed], a refugee camp (as SWAPO claimed] … or something else?

* What happened to the three 5.5-inch guns the South African artillerymen had reluctantly to abandon after the disastrous Battle of Death Road on 10 November 1975?

* Why did the SWA/Namibia peace talks break down on several occasions when they were close to a resolution?

* Was there a third alternative in 1975 which might have prevented both a protracted counter-insurgency campaign in SWA/Namibia and a South African incursion into Angola?

* Why was the South African Navy kept out of the loop on Operation Savannah till the disaster at the Battle of Death Road?

* How the frigate SAS President Steyn sneaked along the Angolan coast and snatched up a top-secret South African mission which was in danger of being captured by the MPLA – the first time full story has been told.



* How Operation Savannah’s tactical legacy – both good and bad – affected the South African military, then and much later.

* What happened to some of the “cast of characters” in later years.

The book also has four appendices to make the reader’s life easier: some Angolan place-names which have changed since 1975; a full list of Honoris Crux recipients up to 1982, with the names of their units; copies of some hitherto secret Cuban despatches; and 26 maps dealing with the various operations and actions. In most cases the maps graphically illustrate the unpredictability of military operations by showing not only the planning but what actually happened.

This book has to be a must. Sounds good and I plan to obtain a copy soon. Thanks for sharing your book with me!

I was in the bush and in the pictures. I saw the sights and heard the sounds. This book is no bullshit. It's an accurate account of the history... very accurate. I also have an original hard copy.

You can quote from it anytime!

Take my word for it.

Having served in SWA during the period under review, I have a particular affinity to this campaign. I also have a particular respect for this author who more than any other IMHO has opened up the curtain of political and military secrecy that has often surrounded this bitter and protracted war.

This edition has been vastly upgraded and re-typeset by justdone publications, making for much easier reading. The production values are high and the addition of various appendices makes for a better understanding of the conflict by later generations. I appreciated the maps of the various battles, which again are a boon for those who were not on the ground at the time. My only gripe is that there was not a small appendix of the insignia of the many units who took part nor was there an index.

I was however particularly impressed with the order of the book and its warts and all descriptions from the participants of the many, often vicious, engagements. As in all wars betrayal by politicians on both sides is skilfully documented and again IMHO honestly portrayed.

Bearing in mind this is a web book one has to forgive minor irritations caused by a few low quality images but the rest certainly makes up for these. It is without a doubt well worth selling price and is simply indispensable for anyone who is remotely interested in this important Cold War conflict.

The ordering process was flawless, in this instance I ordered a printed copy, with the item arriving very well packed within 5 days of order. Printing is well executed on plain paper in A4 format. Binding is glued plasticard and while it could be improved upon it in no way detracts from the quality of the book. Now all we need is a similar publication covering the years to 1989!

Value for money 10/10
Content 9/10
Presentation 8/10
Lulu Service 10/10


Steve Seargent

I haven't had time to absorb the contents of my book yet but I must say that the quality of the medium and the speedy delivery already make this a worthwhile buy for me.

I own and have the 1st and 2nd editions (both long out of print, very expensive and very hard to find!) and can vouch that this is an incredible book! It will easy list in the top 10 “Bush War” book list, but seeing that most are out of print this book quickly moves to the top of the list. I cannot wait to get my updated copy and look forward to all the new surprises between the covers of this book. Simply a “spot-on” book, a most own!

cheers,
Troy